Following a Self-Care Routine
Self-care is already a part of your daily routine. You choose the food you eat every day, the exercise you get, and what you do for fun. Good self-care can be incorporated easily into your routine by choosing simple activities to include in your day.
Why should you engage in good self-care though? Good selfcare practices lower your stress levels, increase feelings of happiness, give you more energy, and help you to avoid burnout
Tip 1: Self-care looks different for everyone
Remember to not compare yourself to those around you. Everyone's daily routines and interests differ, so your own selfcare routine should be unique to you. Some people love going to the gym, while others would rather go on a walk. Maybe someone's way of relaxing is to bake, but you would rather read a book. Create your own self-care routine around you!
Tip 2: Start with simple changes
Self-care practices do not require you to change your entire routine. Go to sleep a bit earlier, go on a 10-minute walk, or reach out to a friend. Beginning to implement good self-care into your life can look any way you want it to look and will grow with you.
Tip 3: Consider your stressors
Balance is important! If you work a job where you are sitting at a desk all day, balance this out by spending time outside. If you spend most of your day doing physical work, put some time aside to do a relaxing activity such as reading or meditating
Tip 4: Do things that you enjoy
Figure out what you like to do and the ways in which this will benefit your health. Get inspiration from Pinterest or YouTube to start a personalized journal that you will enjoy writing in or download an audiobook that you have been wanting to listen to and go on a walk.
Tip 4: Do things that you enjoy
Consider what is going on in your life and what could get in the way of achieving your self-care goals. If you don't think you have enough time in your schedule or are feeling guilty for focusing on yourself, start with something that you find easy like doing a quick stretch. From there, work on slowly adding to that. Take the time to focus on yourself for a few minutes every day and learn to love taking care of you!
Resources:
Take 15 minutes just for you (cmha.ca)